Pakistan likely to allow movement of Indian wheat into Afghanistan through its territory
Prime Minister Imran Khan said Pakistan would “favourably” consider the Taliban regime’s request to transport wheat offered by India through the country on “extraordinary grounds” for humanitarian purposes. Dawn expressed the views while speaking to a delegation led by Amir Khan Muttaki, the acting Foreign Minister of Afghanistan, citing a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office.
“The Prime Minister noted that in the present context, Pakistan is conducive to the transportation of wheat offered by India through Pakistan for humanitarian purposes and in accordance with the modalities to be devised at the request of the Afghan brothers,” the statement said. Is.” Will consider the request.”
“Imran Khan reaffirmed Islamabad’s support to Afghanistan and the Afghan people in overcoming the challenges faced by the neighboring country. They emphasized the vital importance of a peaceful, stable, sovereign, prosperous and connected Afghanistan with Pakistan and the wider region. stressed too.”
Khan also emphasized that “sustained security and counter-terrorism action, respect for the rights of all Afghans, and involvement in governance and politics will further contribute to the stability of Afghanistan,” the statement further read.
Pakistan has not allowed Indian shipments to pass through its territory in Afghanistan.
In October, the United Nations’ World Food Program (WFP) country director in Afghanistan, Mary Ellen McGorty, said the program was in talks with India to donate wheat to Taliban-controlled Afghanistan.
After a meeting with Indian officials in October, the Taliban said New Delhi had expressed its willingness to provide comprehensive humanitarian aid to Afghans.
The humanitarian situation as well as the security situation in Afghanistan have been deteriorating since the Taliban took control of the country.
The United Nations World Food Program (WFP) has warned that unless immediate action is taken, millions of Afghans will face starvation this winter.
Between March and March next year, some 23 million people, or 55 percent of the Afghan population, are estimated to be in distress or facing emergency levels of food insecurity.
In its latest status report, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) shows concern about “conditional humanitarianism” or attempts to “take advantage of” humanitarian aid for political purposes.
(with inputs from ANI)
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